Facial pain for 3years.....Trigeminal Neuralgia?

I have had similar pain for a year,  I have been on so much medication it is ridiculous, so I am now trying acupuncture.  After two sessions (and a third tomorrow) I can now say that I am feeling the most normal I have felt for a long time!

 

Dear Marie, I suffered for 3 years, dont suffer in silence there is help out there, I was referred to Oxford and had MVD operation, unfortunately for me it did not work, However I then had a TIC Injection and this has helped immensely. I was on 400mg Tegratol slow relase 3 times a day, I lived my life as a zombie, now I am pain free. The injection I had is not permanent but I am at present drug free and more importantly pain free. You need to keep pushing to be referred to a neurologist, they are the only ones to really help and understand. Good luck Jill

I agree, you must push to see a neurologist. Also some teaching hospitals run a Facial Pain service (e.g King's or Eastman dental schools in London). I pushed my GP for referral and finally someone understood what was wrong. You cannot see pain on any Xray, MRI or CT scan. (Acupuncture didn't really help me). Very best of luck to you.

Hi, Marie first of all I would say I was diagnosed with TN 15 years ago. At the age of 29. Before I was diagnosed. I went to the dentist 5 times, and each time had a root canal done on a different tooth, because my dentist was so so sure it was a nerve on the tooth having the root canal. After killing 5 nerves and hundreds of dollars later, he sits me down and tells me to see a neurologist, cause he thinks I have TN. I made a appt. with my primary doctor who referred me out to Barrows Neorology clinic, the best in AZ. Thank the lord, after 3 years of pain, meds(Gabepentin 1200mg 3 times daily) and a serious allergy to tegretol.) I was in so much excruciating pain, all day, every 4 min. I wanted to die. I sat like a zombie on my bed, I couldn't touch my face, my kids couldn't hug me, I no longer wanted to live. I seen Dr. Shapiro and Dr. Shetters at Barrows, who told me I was too young to have TN. They said it was rare for someone as young as me to have it. But, I did. I was advised of all my options. Gamma knife, tic injections, MVD and several others. I chose MVD, without hesitation. It was the best choice for me. This was on my right side of my face, around my mouth and nose. The surgery I had, had a higher percentage of being cured, I just hit my 15th anniversary mark, no pain but, I now have been diagnosed with TN on my left side, even more rare for someone to get it on both sides of the face. I'm back at Dr. Shetter's office and I'm scheduled to have surgery in 9 days. MVD again. My pain right now are slight triggers, just the beginning of TN. But, I can have 5 to 30 triggers a day, depending on the day. I have kept a daily journal, I'm trying to figure out what brings the shocks to trigger more, I do know that keeping a clean mouth helps, brushing your teeth often and gargling with mouthwash alot everyday, despite the pain, helps. I pray you get diagnosed soon, and please remember, with the right doctor, one who is experienced with TN, you will find best option, that is right for you. Feel free to reach out to me, if you have any questions, unfortunately I have been with this excruciating illness twice. I'm not a doctor, but, I know what your going through, I will keep you in my prayers, God Bless.

Hi, I don't really know why but symptoms you describe - which can each be a diagnosis in their own right (idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia, chronic meningitis, multiple scleriosis all match) - are shaped and weighted and fringed in such a way that you appear to be describing Lyme's disease. As someone with Lyme's disease would. I was actually checking for something else and a few hours ago knew almost nothing about Lyme's.

I admit I'm afraid to post this and send you painfully in the wrong direction but I am compelled to mention this. 

Sincerely with wishes for your wellness  x